Unknown metal. Help!

[2girls1shovel]

We kept finding these chunks digging around an old historical site. It doesn’t magnetize, it doesn’t change color with the streak test. Any ideas? There’s tons of it around where we were digging in the woods.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[Blackfoot58]

View attachment 2085005
We kept finding these chunks digging around an old historical site. It doesn’t magnetize, it doesn’t change color with the streak test. Any ideas? There’s tons of it around where we were digging in the woods.

I find similar ones a lot. I can’t tell by photo what they are. Possibly aluminum, tin, silver, mixed metals, etc. I think mine were either the result of a fire in a building or slag from a forge. Good luck

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

What is it's specific gravity ?
Is it brittle, or malleable ?
How hard it is ? can you shave some off with a sharp knife ?

 

[CRUSADER]

Welcome to Tnet.
Clearly melted in a fire, so aluminum is likely. If your finding lots, sounds like people were burning their trash. (Fairly common, or dig a hole & bury it)

 

[2girls1shovel]

Welcome to Tnet.
Clearly melted in a fire, so aluminum is likely. If your finding lots, sounds like people were burning their trash. (Fairly common, or dig a hole & bury it)

Yeah it was just pretty heavy. So I didn’t think it was aluminum.

What is it's specific gravity ?
Is it brittle, or malleable ?
How hard it is ? can you shave some off with a sharp knife ?

it’s kind of heavy, It’s not brittle. Tried to scrape with a knife and it didn’t break.

 

[Digger RJ]

View attachment 2085005
We kept finding these chunks digging around an old historical site. It doesn’t magnetize, it doesn’t change color with the streak test. Any ideas? There’s tons of it around where we were digging in the woods.

Welcome to Tnet!!! Maybe Aluminum Slag?